FC Oțelul Galați coach Dorinel Munteanu says the Romanian champions, without a point in Group C, are determined to bow out on a high when they meet an SL Benfica team already assured of their place in the round of 16. Yet the Portuguese outfit have top spot in their sights and are determined to get right back on track after suffering their first defeat in 23 games this season on Friday.

We want to get back to the form that saw us go unbeaten for 22 games this season

Jorge Jesus

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Our campaign has not been great, but we gained experience. Not losing here would represent a good result

Dorinel Munteanu

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BenficaCoach Jorge Jesus We achieved our first goal by getting through the group stage. Now our destiny is in our own hands, and we want to finish first in the group. We want to perform like we have been doing in this competition, although we lost in Madeira in our last match [2-1 in the Portuguese Cup]. We want to get back to the form that saw us go unbeaten for 22 games this season. That defeat will not sap our confidence; we still believe in what we've built together.

Oţelul are tough opponents, but I believe all our players are feeling positive and are ready to put in a good performance. We have played some good matches but we haven't won anything yet; the principle is positive, then, but titles are what we are after. Who do we want in the round of 16 draw? We don't want Barcelona until the final.

• Óscar Cardozo was banned and Artur rested as Benfica's 22-match unbeaten start to the season ended with defeat in the fifth round of the Portuguese Cup.

Team newsMaxi Pereira serves a one-game ban on matchday six and Enzo Peréz is out with a knee injury. Luisão (thigh strain) is unlikely to feature, while Artur, Ezequiel Garay and Pablo Aimar are to be rested, with all three players one booking shy of a suspension.

OţelulCoach Dorinel MunteanuIt will be a hard game; you just need to look at the table. Yet Benfica didn't win their first two home matches in the group stage so we'll be giving our all to grab a result. Benfica are a strong side, group leaders, but we have to aim for a good result. We had no luck in the first match against Benfica, a much more experienced side.

We are under no pressure and, although we don't have any points, it has been good playing in this competition. It was a great achievement and I underline the fact that none of our three opponents beat us easily. Our campaign has not been great, but we gained experience. Not losing here would represent a good result.

• With Ionuţ Neagu suspended, Oţelul suffered their ninth defeat in 19 games in all competitions. The Galati outfit's four-match winning league run had ended when they conceded an added-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at FC Universitatea Cluj on 27 November.

Team newsAdrian Sălăgeanu (knee) and Cristian Sârghi (leg) have not travelled due to injuries, while Laurenţiu Buş has not featured since 2 October because of a left ankle problem.

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